 10/28/2003 9:21 PM ET
Marlins love a parade, or three
 The parade in Miami
Jack McKeon
Juan Pierre raps to the crowd
MIAMI -- They waved to the adoring crowd from convertibles by day, and by night they soaked in the celebration on boats.
The joyous ride the Marlins were on Tuesday had everyone in the organization feeling like they were floating on air.
City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz declared Tuesday "Marlins' World Series Championship Day."
Still beaming over the Marlins' World Series championship over the Yankees in six games, South Florida spent all day Tuesday honoring the team in three separate parades in two counties.
In typical South Florida style, the parades included Salsa music, rap and alternative rock songs. As the afternoon wore on, the party spilled north into Broward County for a boat parade before thousands at Riverfront on the Las Olas River.
Tuesday morning, a parade went down Flagler Street in downtown Miami.
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Perched on convertibles, players, coaches, manager Jack McKeon and front office personnel reached out to the community that lined the street. More than 100,000 people packed downtown dressed in team colors, wearing championship shirts and caps and twirling rally towels. Fans chanted for their favorite players, especially pitcher Josh Beckett, the World Series MVP who will be a guest on the "Tonight Show" on Wednesday night.
"Beck-ett! Beck-ett!" was chanted while the pitcher was on stage. He accommodated the gathering by holding up his MVP trophy.
Early in the afternoon, the Marlins paraded down Calle Ocho in Miami's Little Havana section before they stopped for lunch.
The same World Series logo that was stenciled on the Pro Player Stadium grass was painted on the city street.
Thousands of fans filled up the Bayfront Park Stage, where the team was introduced to the large gathering.
The momentous event was used as a platform for Miami-Dade County politicians to hint that the time may be right to assist the Marlins in their quest for a baseball-only stadium.
"The Marlins belong in South Florida," said Diaz. "We've got to do everything we can to keep them there."
Since purchasing the Marlins in February of 2002, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has not said much about the need for a new stadium. The organization remains quiet on the subject, but behind the scene conversations have been ongoing for several months.
Diaz held up a sign that read: "If we build it, will you come?" The crowd cheered loudly.
Presented several gifts by politicians, Loria also was handed the "key to the city."
On the stage, it was said it may be the "key to their future stadium."
While Loria didn't specifically talk stadium on Tuesday, he did made a declaration of commitment to the product on the field.
Loria's first order of business was to announce before the enthusiastic crowd that McKeon would return in 2004 as manager.
The news was expected, but not officially announced.
"Jack is coming back," Loria declared.
McKeon, who turns 73 in November, guided the Marlins from 10-games under .500 (19-29 on May 22) to the franchise's second World Series championship. He is the second manager in baseball history to take over a team in midseason and lead them to the World Series title. Bob Lemon did it with the Yankees in 1978.
McKeon is signed for one more year, and the rest of the coaching staff was invited back.
"Just a one-year deal," McKeon said. "That was all I wanted. I didn't ask for more. I don't believe in holding people up. I may not want [to return in 2005], and they may not want me. Who knows? I enjoy what I'm doing. I
enjoy this team. I enjoy working with Jeffrey and [team president] David [Samson] and [general manager] Larry [Beinfest]. Why not try it again? I'm not going to be greedy."
In 1997, the Marlins won it all, but immediately broke the heart of the community when then-owner H. Wayne Huizenga traded away the key players on the title team. Huizenga eventually sold the club to John Henry, who has since taken over the Red Sox after selling the Marlins to Loria.
"This is not 1997," Loria said to the crowd. "I want to put everything to rest. This is 2003. We're not dismantling, thank you."
Before leaving the stage, center fielder Juan Pierre sent the crowd into a frenzy with his own rap version of his signature song, "We Ready" by Archie Eversole.
The rap tune, played at home games every time Pierre bats, has become an anthem for the team during the playoffs.
Pierre, who danced with rookie pitcher Dontrelle Willis, strutted on stage with ad-lib lines and verses about the Marlins' improbable playoff run.
"We No. 1, y'all," Pierre sang. "Florida Marlins, y'all."
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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News
The Florida Marlins celebrated their World Series championship with parades Tuesday in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. 